Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. shorthand for the black cultural experience.

1977

cited in C. Major Juba to Jive (1994).

2. a black person.

1973		G.V. Higgins Digger’s Game (1981) 94: Tittle’s the big hambone with the Gynts.
1990		S. Morgan Homeboy 184: A hambone and peckerwood comprising an impromptu saltandpepper traveling band.

3. used as a term of address.

2012

NY Times 29 Jan. 🌐 ‘Hambone’ a brotherly greeting.